Here’s a four-step plan to save the Dallas Cowboys’ season, starting with a win over Jets and a trade for star defender
The Dallas Cowboys are in trouble heading into Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season but here’s how they could save their postseason aspirations.
Despite having the NFL’s best offense in yards per game and fifth-best in points, the Dallas Cowboys have one win heading into Week 5. And while it’s still relatively early, desperation surrounds America’s Team due to a dangerous combination.
A 1-2-1 record combined with the worst defense in the league and a tough post-bye week stretch of games means the Cowboys are already in “save the season mode.” Sportsbooks give the Cowboys a 16% implied probability of making the playoffs. How can they prove the NFL world wrong?
Well, I’m glad you asked. Below is a four-step plan for the Cowboys to save the season and make the postseason. And it starts Sunday when they visit the New York Jets.
Step 1: Cowboys win three of the next five, ideally four
Spoiler alert: This plan includes a trade the Cowboys must make to improve the defense. But that would make little sense if Dallas doesn’t get to the trade deadline in a position to be “buyers.” Realistically, they need at least a 4-4-1 record to be comfortable giving up future draft capital for immediate help. Preferably, a 5-3-1 record.
The Cowboys will need some cushion as the second half of the season will be much more complicated with a stretch of games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders. Compare that to the opponents leading up to the trade deadline:
- @ New York Jets
- @ Carolina Panthers
- vs Washington Commanders
- @ Denver Broncos
- vs Arizona Cardinals
The Cowboys need at least three wins in the next five to even consider step two. But if they get them, they’ll earn the right to go shopping.
Step 2: Make a big-time trade for Trey Hendrickson
Yes, I know. The Cowboys have many defensive issues and a single player won’t make those go away. But hear me out. We’re not trying to fix the defense here. We’re just trying to improve it slightly so it isn’t the league’s worst. To do that, I’m looking at one stat in particular: Third down defense.
The Cowboys rank 32nd in the NFL allowing opponents to move the chains on third down 58% of the time! The second worst third-down defense in the NFL allows only a 51% conversion rate. It’s outrageous. The best way to improve that stat and get the defense off the field is getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Enter Hendrickson.
“It’ll take a Day 2 pick and probably a player in return to get Hendrickson out of Cincinnati’s grasp,” A to Z Sports’ John Sheeran said last month.
It’s a hefty price to pay but if the Cowboys are in a spot to compete at the trade deadline, Hendrickson should be their target. He’s expected to be the best edge rusher available via trade.
Step 3: Get lucky with a DeMarvion Overshown early return
As pointed out earlier, Hendrickson wouldn’t solve all the Cowboys issues. In fact, you could argue linebacker is the team’s biggest weakness defensively speaking. This is where step three comes in: Dallas needs to get lucky and get DeMarvion Overshown earlier than expected. In the offseason, Overshown revealed his target date was Thanksgiving (Week 13). It could be sooner than that.
“I feel like I’ll be playing football before Thanksgiving with the team,” Overshown told reporters in September.
Last week, Overshown took part in coverage drills, via Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt. Overshown returning plus the addition of a high-end defensive end like Hendrickson would give the Cowboys a much improved defense, even if not a fully fixed one.
Step 4: Hope Dak Prescott keeps playing at an elite level
With a not-great-but-not-terrible defense, Dak Prescott’s high-powered offense would have a chance to see its high-scoring outings become wins, unlike last weekend’s 40-40 tie to the Packers.
By that point of the season, the Cowboys would get starters Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and CeeDee Lamb all back on the field. As long as Prescott keeps his elite play up throughout the regular season, the Cowboys would be in a position to win even against the toughest of opponents. To make the playoffs, however, chances are they’d need 10 wins. With a tie on their record, they’d have a solid tiebreaker for a wild card spot. Once in the postseason, it would be fair to call Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach a success.
Dallas Cowboys News
‘We talked’ – Trevon Diggs suggests he’s had discussions with Cowboys coach, but it doesn’t sound like any big changes will happen
Changes ahead?
